Pottery Painting Fun

 FINALLY! We have in person library events. Kimberly library has started having in person library events as part of their summer reading program. All of them are at Sunset Park or another park in the community but it is still free in person fun.

One of the first events for adults and teens was a pottery painting event. You had to pre-register. I even made a note to remember to call first thing in the morning to register. I remembered at 3:15. I called and there was still a spot available. The adults painted mini plants and teens had the option of a panda or a owl. 

The event was held at one of the shelters in Sunset Park. We were given a piece to paint, water, brushes, and glazes.  We had five colors of glaze -- Red, Blue, Yellow, White, and Black. The teen girls across from me thought the red was pink. 

After consulting with Andrea regarding which team's colors to use, I got to work. Since the planter was hexagonal, I alternated colors. They advised to use 3 coats of glaze. It was hard to remember which diamond you started with. My piece had 4+ coats of glaze. If I remembered correctly from my middle school art days, the more coats, the more vibrant the color when fired.

When then left our pieces with the librarians who would take care of getting them fired at The Fire -- Paint Your Own Pottery Place downtown Appleton. 

Fearing the red was really pink if I figured it was either a pair of argyle socks or sweater type design or the Wisconsin Badger look I was going for.

About 2 weeks later, we were able to pick up our fired pieces. I was right it was red not pink. Those poor cats/pandas with red eyes and eyelashes instead of the pink the girls were going for. 

Mine turned out really well. Even the hubby was surprised. Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with it since I tend to kill plants and it's really small to be a planter.

Hopefully the libraries will continue to have in person events whether outside or in the library. It is great to get back to some sort of normalcy. 

329. Go to Juneteenth Day

 Growing up in Southeast Wisconsin, I'd hear about the Juneteenth Day celebration in Milwaukee every year. Without knowing much about it, I put it on the bucket list. Then I moved the Fox Valley and eventually saw that Appleton had a Juneteenth Day celebration and slowly learned about the history behind the celebration. 

Juneteenth Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves. It is a day of freedom and independence for African-Americans. It is normally celebrated with parades, food, music, drumming, and dancing. Each celebration is different and means different things to different people.

Being the introvert that I am, being among a bunch of people I didn't know was not my idea of a good time yet I wanted to go to one. Then the pandemic hit and I found myself subscribed to the Cuyahoga County Library newsletter. Cuyahoga County is the greater Cleveland area. A branch of the Cuyahoga County Library System was having a virtual Juneteenth Day Celebration. This was perfect. I signed up. Okay so it was an easy way out but us introverts love technology.

I thought it would be a celebration in the library. Oh no. It was a Facebook Live video of the actual Juneteenth Day celebration in Warrensville Heights. The video and sound quality weren't always the best because we were indoors but it was still very interesting.

There were poetry and story readings.

There was dancing.

There was drumming.

Everything that a normal Juneteenth Day celebration would have without having to leave my couch. I just wish the sound was better quality as I would have loved to hear more of what was being said. I was impressed by the drumming. I really liked the virtual aspect because it allowed for those that aren't ready to go out in the community or were unable to get to the library to attend and celebrate. 

Hopefully one day, I will actually attend the one in Appleton. This year it moved from City Park to Jones Park. In the meantime I will enjoy the virtual events when I can.

6635. Dip my fries in a Wendy’s Frosty

 I honestly can't remember having a Frosty from Wendy's prior to this year. I'm sure I have but if I did, it was unremarkable. We stopped at Wendy's after a Brewer's game and got Frosties. I was not overly impressed. It was not very chocolaty. I might just be spoiled by Neenah DQ.

Everyone on Facebook was like you need to dip your fries into your Frosty. They taste so good. I was skeptical. Why ruin perfectly good fries by dipping them in ice cream?

After a baseball game, we picked up Wendy's since it was like the only place open and nearby. I said I wanted a Frosty and fries so I could dip them in my Frosty. 

Our fries were limp and did not make for good dipping. I did dip. I can see what the fascination is. They do actually taste pretty good. I'm not sure if I would do it again but it wasn't bad.